Posts Tagged ‘Movies’

Angels and Demons Movie Review

Monday, May 18th, 2009

My kids, at five and nine, certainly aren’t going to be munching popcorn and tossing back Raisinets while watching this film any time soon. Parents might be tempted to bring kids used to a certain amount of violence on TV and video games to a movie like this. However, Angels and Demons is a movie for older kids, 16 and up.

Reviews have been mixed on this movie and we’d have to agree that it’s only so-so, especially in relationship to the earlier Da Vinci Code, which successfully brought the blockbuster book to life. In Angels and Demons, Professor Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) goes deep into the world of the Illuminati, an underground organization that threatens the Catholic church. Once again, Langdon goes on a ticking-time-bomb journey as he follows ancient clues through the hidden sites of Rome. He is joined by a love interest, the beautiful Vittoria Vetra (Ayelet Zurer) though there are no sexual overtones to this relationship.

Dads who haven’t read the book might enjoy this film more than its predecessor, especially since there has been far less hype for Angels and Demons. Even the Catholic Church has had little to say about the movie, underlining its weaker story line and premise. This movie is a lot more fluff and adventure than it is heretical or destabilizing to the dogma of the Church.

At the same time, dads should be aware of a significant amount of violence, including some gruesome deaths. This is the kind of film that would give kids, and some adults, nightmares after a viewing. At the same time, sexual themes are not an issue at all, nor is there very much profanity.

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Ghost Town out on DVD 12/28/08

Sunday, December 21st, 2008

Ghost Town is a very funny movie. If you like Ricky Gervais’ brand of dry, self-deprecating humor (he was the original Michael Scott in the British version of “The Office”), you’re bound to enjoy his character. This is the the story of a socially awkward dentist who has a near-death experience that allows him to act as a bridge between the living and the dead. Just the fact that he can see many people around us who are actually dead creates a lot of confusion and funny situations, as does the fact that they are dressed (or undressed) as they were at the time of their death. Also starring Greg Kinnear and Tea Leoni, Ghost Town has an upbeat hopeful story line, despite the deathly subject matter.

While there isn’t any real sex or violence in this film, one of the main characters is open about his infidelity, there are some direct sexual references, as well as some infrequent profanity (f**k and s**t) , making this movie inappropriate for kids younger than twelve.

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Eagle Eye out on DVD on 12/28/08

Sunday, December 21st, 2008

For some reason, perhaps because of the title, I thought Eagle Eye was a simple film about a drone surveillance airplane gone mad. There is a drone plane or two, but the movie is so much more than that. Directed by D. J. Caruso from a story by Steven Spielberg, and starring Shia Laboeuf (Transformers) and Michelle Monaghan (Mission Impossible 3), Eagle Eye is a high tech conspiracy movie that plays on your worst fears about how computers track our everyday move. It pits two unwitting innocents against the Department of Homeland Security when they are set up to be the agents of an assassination plot. Without giving too much away, this movie draws on the best of 2001, The Parallax View, and War Games.

The pyrotechnics here are stunning with some new car chase scene ideas you have definitely not seen before. A chase scene in the baggage handling routing system of an airport will have you twisting and turning as the main characters ride conveyor belts like a beaten up piece of old uggage. This is a movie that will keep your attention just because it does a few things not seen before

Dads will enjoy this action thriller, but Eagle Eye is not a movie for young kids. There is no sex and very little profanity, but there is a tremendous amount of chaotic violence and heart-pounding chase sequences. The plot action also involves death threats on a mom and her son if she doesn’t participate in the action.

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My daughter’s two favorite movies are out in DVD

Wednesday, November 26th, 2008

We introduced our eight year old early to musical and romantic comedies and she quickly replaced Disney with great directors like William Wyler, Vincente Minnelli, and George Cukor. We may be creating an incurable romantic, but these movies have the big advantage of having no profanity and in general, very few “questionable” situations.” And if they do, they are usually so subtle, that kids don’t even notice them.

Two of her favorites, Roman Holiday and Sabrina, just came out in new DVD


“Roman Holiday – The Centennial Collection” (William Wyler)


“Sabrina – The Centennial Collection” (Billy Wilder)

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Suburban dad and spy: Christian Slater stars as both

Sunday, October 12th, 2008

If you’re a suburban dad, maybe those two ideas sounds familiar. This new shows sounds like they’ve been spying on my life.
Two different minds, one body. So which one of these two personalities leads the more complicated life: the covert operative and contract killer who speaks 13 languages, runs a four-minute mile and is trained to kill with his bare hands, or the efficiency expert who lives a humdrum life in the suburbs with a devoted wife, two kids, a dog and a minivan?[From Suburban dad and spy: Christian Slater stars as both]

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Nim’s Island Movie for dads

Monday, August 18th, 2008

Nim’s Island is out on DVD and it’s a good movie for dads and kids. With some interesting graphics and a fantastical series of events, kids and dads should stay entertained throughout this 90 minute adventure.

Abigail Breslin, from Definitely, Maybe, plays 11 year old Nim. She is trapped on a South Pacific island when her scientist father leaves her for two days and then runs into a massive storm. Her only lifeline is an agorophobic adventure story writer (Jody Foster) living in San Francisco.

When her island comes under siege from a cruise ship itching to spoil her deserted island, she calls her for help. The story then follows their parallel adventures as Nim fights off the tourists and Alex fights her fears to rescue her email friend.

The one problem I had with the film was the beginning where, as in movie after movie, we learn that the mother has died very early in the girl’s life. I know Disney always likes to make their characters tougher through this adversity, but they overuse this plot device in my opinion.

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Spiderwick Chronicles – a good movie for kids and dads

Sunday, July 6th, 2008

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Spiderwick Chronicles is out on DVD and a surprise hit in our household. When this movie came out last year, I thought it looked a little goofy and it seemed to be in and out of theatres in short order. Seeing it at home was the first time for us, and it was a happy surprise for both me and my eight year-old. We both enjoyed the story, the action sequences and the funny parts.

The story is an imaginative tale of a single mom and her three kids who go to live in a mansion they soon find to be under attack by goblins out to get a book that details the world of creatures ordinary people can’t see.

While the movie has scenes that make it a bit too scary for little kids (7 and under), my slightly older daughter enjoyed even the attack sequences at the end of the film without being frightened. Be aware that near the end (attention: plot spoiler), the kids’ dad arrives in what looks to be a sweet family reunion moment. However, the father is really an ogre in disguise, and the movie’s hero, Jared, stabs him in the stomach, much to the horror of the rest of the family. This might be a traumatic moment for small children (and some dads).

Here are a few of the date points my daughter (age eight) gave for the movie:

1. Movie is best for: Kids over seven and dads who are willing to enjoy some fantastical entertainment.

2. Favorite part: When the little elf is mad, if you give him honey, he gets nice again.

3. Favorite character: The little elf

4. Main character: Jared, the brother who discovers the Spiderwick Chronicles book.

4. Lesson of the film: Sometimes knowledge gets you into trouble, as Daddy says, “Curiosity killed the cat.” Knowledge can get you out of trouble as well.

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Transformers on DVD!

Monday, June 30th, 2008

612sdHzmJQL._SL160_.jpgMy four year old son loves The Transformers and has been hopping around doing action poses since we got this DVD. He loves the action sequences and the clear line between good and evil. He also likes the frenetic pace and anxiety-producing sound effects. This is definitely entertainment for the on-the-edge-of-the-seat viewer.

While all these things make it a hit for him, my wife and I would prefer he watches quieter fare, which also seems to entertain him. I also think this is one cartoon that is probably better for older kids, maybe eight years plus.

The action sequences are pretty violent and action-packed, and you’ll have to decide for yourself whether the fact that the action is between repairable robots make it okay for your child. Personally, we felt that it was too violent even for older kids.

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New Jungle Book 2 out on DVD – contest for free copies!

Saturday, June 14th, 2008

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The Jungle Book 2 (Special Edition) is out and a hit with little kids. This is one movie both my four year and eight year old can enjoy together without too much fighting. They both loved the classic original Jungle Book with those great songs by Louis Prima. This one includes the same characters and a reprise of the song “The Bare necessities,” as well as the modern hit, “I Want to be Like You” by Smash Mouth.

With the voices of John Goodman and Haley Joel Osment, Jungle Book 2 is a good movie for young kids. Though there are some scary parts, even two-year-olds can watch this movie without too much anxiety. As an adult, I didn’t enjoy this one as much the original, but for the kids it was fine and there is some comfort in re-discovering the old characters.

Additionally, while I was underwhelmed by the two included video games (using your DVD player’s remote), my son was enthralled with the idea. He made me continue to try to play them for longer than they were worth given old and slow technology.

We have three copies of this DVD available to a movie buff who can identify the voice of Baloo in the 1967 original Jungle Book. Just send your answers to Paul @ GreatDad . com (a couple extra spaces in there to stymie the spammers.) Good luck. If more than three correct entries, we’ll draw a name on June 28.

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